At what age is best? Is 18 mnths ok or is 2 yrs. old better and why?
I have a one year old and just bought a new puppy. I was wondering if I could mate then in 6 months or whenever the 3rd season is.

I know someone will ask. YES, they're both well bred from reputable breeders, both pugs. I want to breed for my own reasons so don't ask. IT'S NOT MONEY, my husband and I both make plenty.

Hi Renee, you probably need to speak to toy breed experts, Gwen would be able to advise you but she won't be here for a few days. However you say you got both of your Pugs from reputable breeders, so my advice is to talk to them about all the things you need to learn about the breed specifically. I must also say that I personally would not be thinking of breeding if I were at your stage of inexperience. Iv'e looked at all your previous posts, and you sound new to dogs, from the sort of questions you ask. I have bred one litter after 31 years in dogs. There's alot to learn, and nobody ever knows it all, but if I were you I'd give myself alot more time before jumping into breeding. After all you only got your male on Sunday evening.
Dawn R.

I am going to put my tin hat on here but I went back and read all your previous posts Renee just to get a picture and did find it a bit scary to see you doing so much planning when it clearly you are new to dogs.  I personally would forget any breeding plan etc for now at least and put in a good training plan. Join your breed club and speak to your puppies breeders as the oldest one is still a puppy herself.  Learn about the breed. You will need to wait and see how good your dogs turn out.  Well that is what a reputable breeder would do so that is the advice any dog lover should give. 

Without any knowledge how can you make a correct moral decision whether either dog is suitable to breed from.  Any good breeder will tell you a line of champions in a pedigree doesn't mean that much.  2 different lines mixed may make a terrible litter.

I find it hard sometimes that people ask questions but only want the answers they want to hear. Any Dog owner/breeder is going to ask why you want to breed if you say you bought the dog for a companion for your other then within 48 hours you have a breeding plan people are going to ask questions as to why.

You have to gain knowledge in your breed before you decide to breed yourself it is not an easy thing to do, nobody is saying you need to be an expert, we all have to learn , however training dogs , getting to know your breed should all be done first.   You will find the answer to your question in some of your breed books which you may even be able to pick up at the library.

Good luck. Hope you new puppy has settled down now.

I am sorry I didn't give you a one answer reply to your question but most people won't.

BFN Pam

 

The best age to mate dogs is when they are both fully mature, and their owner can back up producing puppies with giving life long advice to their puppy owners.  To do this they should have owned an assortment of dogs and learnt about them, about training them, about their needs and this does not mean just feeding, exercise and companionship but about being able to read them,  their body language, and the needs of thei different stages of their life.

Knowing their pedigree - not just the names but the dogs behind them, their good points and bad points and why one dog might complement - or otherwise - another one.  What health problems they had and if possible what they died of.  These are just a few things to think of, many others are mentioned elsewhere on the board.

I agree with other posters about not breeding too early in your doggy owning experience,find out as much as possible about their nature and health through enjoying them for a few years.We have had akitas for about 6 years now and I wouldn't call myself an expert but I do know their background,other dogs from litter and any half brothers and sisters etc and more importantly I know all their little mannerisms etc to make judgements on whether they are okay or not.This can only come with time spent actually observing your dog,with others,by itself,with people(all varieties),all these things help in deciding whether the dogs are ok to breed from too,not just that you have good looking pups and you want a litter.Take time to enjoy your dogs,especially as pups,it doesn't last long and maybe when you feel you know them a lot better then will be the time to breed or not as the case may be.We have only bred one litter in those years and yes it was great but it was really hard work for little financial gain,so have a wee think first.Good luck with your pups,Sandra.:)